February 2015

The murder of a psychic in Chinatown forces Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) to question several other psychics in the area including a young man who offers fortunes to each member of the team that reveal secrets and possible futures for each of them. In terms of ongoing storylines the big takeaway from “Ancient, Chinese, Secret” is the reveal of the burgeoning romantic relationship between Niedermayer (Kristoffer Polaha) and Nadia (Beatrice Rosen), which seems to come out of nowhere, as well as some foreshadowing about Nadia’s past which will likely be further explored over the remainder of the season.

The latest extra-creepy member of The BlacklistReddington (James Spader) sends Lizzie (Megan Boone) and the FBI after is serial killer well known for the style in which the victims’ bodies are left (hung upside down, gutted, and with a bite taken out of their liver). Reddington offers a single insight that their killer is actually a woman (Amanda Plummer) allowing for a new branch of investigation and discovery of just how the Deer Hunter chooses her victims.

Romance is in the air as relationships are at the center of the latest issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten as Super-Andrew‘s new found powers allows him to help Buffy, Spike, and the Scoobies fight a sorcerer known as the Sculptor who creates armies out of dead flesh. As promised the magic potion Andrew took allows him to finally become his best self, which actually doesn’t have anything to do with his new powers which leave him as quickly as they appeared once the young man admits a not-so-well-kept secret to himself and his friends.

Spike has much soul searching to do as he rebuffs Buffy’s attempts to rekindle their romance in earnest for the first time since his soul was returned. Although he thinks he’s doing what’s best he quickly regrets his decision attempting to rectify the mistake. As expected the pair finally do find their way back to each other but not without some foreshadowing about about a murderous cost that could come into play in the coming months.

Romance doesn’t flow for Giles who continues to be stymied in his adolescent form or for Xander and Dawn who seem to finally be more at ease with themselves after months of awkwardness. Worth a look.